Tool handle



J' P' PALMER 3,089,525

TOOL. HANDLE Filed Oct. f7,

May 14, 1963 Wm, mm QM,

IN VEN TOR. f/a//A/ Q PAM Mfe BY Kv mw rme/VEYS.

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This invention relates to a tool handle, and more particularly to a resilient or cushioned handle for an impact tool such as a hammer or the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of resilient means in association with an impact tool handle for absorbing or cushioning the shock of impact against the hand of the user.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character provided with means whereby the cushioning element may be readily removed for replacement in the event of wear thereon.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device comprising an integral shank portion upon which is positioned a wooden handle, characterized by means facilitating the replacement of the handle in the event of breakage or wear thereon.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tool handle of this character which will' absorb the shock of the impact directly from the shank of the tool holder in a rubber or other resilient or spring cushion means, thus reducing the impact against the hand of the user.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a tool handle of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accomanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, and partially broken away, of a tool handle constructed in accordance with the instant invention, together with an auxiliary tool for removing the base plate thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line t6-6 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 7 is an end elevational view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the base plate of the instant device removed from its associated tool handle.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE l0 is an end elevational View of the construction of FIG. 9 taken substantially along the line 10e-l0 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE lfl is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a still further modified form of the invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, a tool handle constructed in accordance with the instant inven- Patented May 14, 1963 tion is generally indicated at 20 and includes a shank generally indicated at 21. Shank 21 includes a circular solid portion 22 of steel or similar material to which may be integrally secured or otherwise affixed a hammer head (not shown) or similar impact tool. Circular portion 22 tapers as at 23 into an elongated relatively Iflat shank portion 24 with its thickest dimension perpendicular to the direction of impact of the head. Shank portion 24 tapers outwardly to form a conical portion 2S having an annular shoulder 26 which serves as a seat for one end of a wood or plastic handle member 2.7. Integrally associated with conical portion 25, and extending from shoulder 26 is a second shank portion 28 which extends through a bore 29 interiorly of handle 27, and is similar in cross-sectional conguration to the shank portion 24, but of lesser thickness. Shank portion 28 is cutaway adjacent its end as at 30, and terminates in a pair of projecting ears 31 extending on opposite sides of the cutaway portions 30 which form a detent. The end of handle portion 27 is hat as shown at 32 and forms a seat for a rubber or other resilient end piece 33 which conforms in general conguration to the end of handle 27, and which Vis provided with a central bore 34 of a dimension slightly less than the greatest width of shank portion 2S. The outer extremity of cushion member '3-3 is provided with a recess 3S, in which seats a metal or other plate 36. The plate y36 is circular in configuration, and is provided centrally with a slot 37 of a dimension equal to the greatest width of the detent formed by ears 31.

Extending perpendicularly to the slot 37 is a recess 38, which extends only partially through plate 36, and is adapted, when the plate is rotated, to retain the detent formed by ears 31 in such manner as to urge plate 36 into constricting relation with cushion member 313 so as to compress the same.

The arrangement is thus such that when the device is in assembled relation the ears 31 seat in the recesses 38, and tightly hold plate 36 in compressive relation with cushion member 33, which in turn irrnly biases handle portion 27 against shoulder 26. By virtue of this arrangement when a blow is struck with the hammer head the shock is transmitted through shank portions 24 and 28 to cushion member 33 wherein the vibrations or oscillations imparted to the shank are absorbed to a large extent, so that a relative minimum of shock is imparted to the wooden or plastic handle member 27 and hence to the hand of the user.

When it is desired to remove plate 36 for the purpose of replacing cushion member 33 or handle 27, it is only necessary that the plate be rotated to a position at right angle so that the ears "31 may pass through the slot 37, at which time the plate may be removed, as may the cushion member y33 in the handle 27 if desired. Such removal is eiected by a tool generally indicated at 40, which comprises a circular ball member 41 of rubber or the like within which is embedded the shank 42 of a plate like tool 43. Tool 40y has a pair of oppositely disposed projecting prongs 44, which are spaced to engage a pair of openings 45 adjacent the outer periphery of disk 36. The arrangement is such that by inserting the prongs 44 in openings 45 and exerting pressure on the bulbous handle 41, disk 36 may be forced inwardly to apply additional compressive force to cushion 33 permitting the turning of the disk and the release of the ears 3.1 forming a detent.

FIGS. 9 and 10 disclose a slightly modified form of construction wherein a tool handle 20a includes a shank portion 28a which is Iprovided at its end with cutaway portions Sta forming ears 31a at its end, the ears 31a forming a detent which is substantially identical in construction to that previously described. However, in this modification the cushion member 33a is positioned directly against the end 32a of handle 23a, and is provided -with a central bore 34a. Bore 34a is of a diameter substantially in excess of the greatest thickness of shank 28a and contains a compression spring S0, one end of which seats against the end 32a of handle 27a. Positioned on the opposite side of cushion member 33a is a plug 51 of the same material as the handle, which may Ibe Wood, plastic, or the like, and rwhich is provided with an interiorly positioned substantially frusto-conical Ibore 52 which accommodates the cutaway portions 30a of shank member 28a. At its outer end plug member 51 is provided with a transverse slot 37 tz, perpendicularly to which extends a recess 38a, the slot 37a and recess 38a |being identical in construction and function to the previously described slot 37 and recess 38 for the accommodationof the detent formed by ears 31a. In the disassembly of this device itis simply necessary to turn or rotate the plug 51 into the ears 31a aligned with the slot 37a, whereupon the plug may be removed as may the cushion member 33a and its associated spring 50. The use and operation of this device is substantially identical to that of the construction previously described in that the` impact is absorbed by the combination of the spring 50 and the rubber cushion member 33a.

In FIG. 11 there is disclosed a modified form of metal plate 36a provided with a slot 37b and recess 38b similar to slot 37 and recess 38 but in place of the tool engaging openings 45' the slot 37a is provided with elongated end recess portions 37e for the same purpose.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved impact tool handle 'which absorbs the shock of impact to a large extent and which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many. embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

last-mentioned bore, the end of said shank being reduced and having lateral projectionsv of an extent equal to the major cross sectional diameter of said shank to form an elongated detent formed on the end of said shank, a plate seating againstsaid compression member, said plate having an elongated slot therethrough dimensioned to receive said detent, and a recess extending transversely to said slot for receiving said detent, ywhereby rotation of said plate to seat -said detent in said recess compresses said cushion member and`rotation of said plate to juxtapose said slot to said detent-permits release of said compression and removal of said plate, cushion member, and handle member, said cushion member having a recess therein dimensioned to receive said plate in flush relation, said plate having tool receiving openings in the outer face thereof adjacent the ends of said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,413,101 Cushing Apr. 18, 1922 1,553,794 Wood et al. Sept. 15, 1925 1,603,159 Snyder Oct. 12, 1926 2,220,810 Bright Nov. 5, 1940 2,350,494 Champlin etal June 6, 1944 2,603,260 Floren July 15, 1952 

